How to Style Leggings in a Modern Way (Including Skinny Jeans & Jeggings)
I hear you my friends, you will NOT embrace the wide leg pant trend, you will NOT give up your skinny jeans, and you will NOT tuck in a top. I won't preach to you in this article, instead, I am going to help. Yes, you can style leggings in a modern way, and you can do it with untucked and longer tops and tunics. Here are some tips on how to style leggings, skinny jeans, tunics, and longer tops that feel current and cool while remaining comfortable while offering the coverage and silhouette you desire.
If this post looks familiar, I updated it from a couple of years ago to fit with the current trends of 2025 and to show you don't have to toss your existing closet to look modern and fresh this year!
How to Style Leggings in a Modern Way (this includes Skinny Jeans!)
There is no need to buy a new wardrobe or change your personal style; these tips will work with your existing closet to update how you're wearing leggings, skinny jeans, untucked tops, and tunics. Stay comfortable while looking chic!
Switch Out Your Cardigan for a Blazer
A super easy way to modernize skinny jeans and leggings is to replace that long cardigan with a blazer. Currently, blazers are relaxed, oversized, “boyfriend” style, and usually double-breasted, which means they will have the length you desire. Depending on your comfort level, this blazer can be styled with a fitted tank, a slim-fitting graphic t-shirt, a loose-fitting hip-length striped top, or as I have here, a tunic-length tank.
Shop the collage: striped relaxed-fit tee | oversized blazer | sunglasses | skinny jeans | link necklace | earrings | leather bag | red sneakers
To keep it feeling modern, switch out flats or ankle boots for loafers, and your favorite white sneakers for a colorful trendy pair of sneakers. For years we have tried to have our feet disappear to create a longer body line, but in 2025 having your shoes a statement part of your outfit is stylish and you may be surprised to like the look, as it will balance a longer and looser top.
Try a Flared Legging
Remember traditional yoga pants, which were ponte or athletic fabric and had a bootcut or flared hem? Well, they're back, baby, and by switching out your skinny leggings for ones with a flare, you instantly look hip with the trends. This is an easy way to update your existing longer tops and tunics.
Shop the collage: tunic | flared leggings | cuff bracelet | hoop earrings | tinted lip balm | bag | shoes
Go Classic with Riding Boots
With the popularity of Americana Chic and the personal style of icons like Carolyn Bissett Kennedy and Princess Diana, skinny jeans and leggings with riding boots is again quite chic.
Shop the collage: blazer | blouse | earrings | ponte leggings | bag | boots
Continue the equestrian vibe with an elongated tweed, paid, or even denim blazer that covers enough to feel comfortable. If classic riding boots aren't your vibe, this look is also great with any tall flat boots or a taller shaft cowboy boot.
Try White Instead of Black
We often default to black leggings and skinny pants because we have been taught that black recesses make things look smaller. The thing is, black doesn't really do that unless you're standing still in a photo. In life, black can just look boring, basic, and quite wintry.
Shop the collage: striped tunic | white skinny jeans | reading glasses | lipcolor | bag | shoes
Try a pair of stretchy, white, skinny pants with your tunics. They give a Jackie O on vacation vibe. Choose an ankle or cropped style for that retro feel.
Go Denim on Denim
Denim on denim is a hot trend this year, and it's such an easy way to update your skinny jeans. If you find classic denim shirts too stiff and heavy, try chambray, Tencel, or look for terms like “garment washed” and “soft”. Look for tunic or “boyfriend” fits which will be purposefully roomy and longer in length.
Shop the collage: denim shirt | skinny jeans (link to plus sizes) | scarf | bag | sunglasses | earrings | ankle boots
Style your denim shirt for a modern take and for more movement and shape. Unbutton the top two buttons, roll up the sleeves, unbutton the last button, and give it a lived-in look. An alternative is unbuttoning another button or so to have a camisole or tank underneath peek out. You can also wear the shirt open over a simple ribbed tank (a shade of blue, heather gray, white, or black is always chic).
A denim shirt and skinny jeans looks chic with an oversized blazer on top. Choose a light color like cream, ivory, white, camel, lavender, or baby blue for a fresh take this season.
Trade Your Tunic for a Short Dress
The '90s and YK2 are back, and in some ways, it may be making us cringe, but in other ways, we can celebrate. Remember wearing dresses over leggings and fitted jeans? Well, a variation of that trend is back, and dresses can be stylishly worn over leggings.
Shop the collage: dress | sunglasses | lipcolor | earrings | leggings | bag | sandals
Look for a-line, shift, and babydoll styles to add volume on top and pair with sneakers, boots, or chunky fisherman sandals.
Go Monochrome
The current trend in activewear and athleisure is to have your ensemble all one color. Whether it's soft neutrals like tan and cream or bold colors of apple green, orange, or Barbie pink, having your leggings match your top will feel modern and hip. You can also stay in a single color story, for example, a pair of hot pink leggings, a blush pink sports bra, and dark rose layering tank.
Retailers like Athleta, Old Navy, and Fabletics make it easy with leggings, sports bras, tanks, tees, sweatshirts, jackets, and vests all in the same color. If you choose your favorite colors, they will remain stylish even if the color trends change from year to year.
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I am 70, size 6, with a rectangle build. That is, my shoulders are as wide as my hips. I also happen to wear a 34DDD bra and, due to stress in the past 5 years, have put on some weight in the stomach. I shied away from double breasted blazers for a long time, but thanks to an over 50 influencer named KellyAnn, I purchased a navy blue, ponte blazer from Walmart that she recommended. It has classy gold buttons. When unbuttoned, the two sides create a point right at the waist. I find that because of the strong shoulders and the point at the waist, I look smaller. The blazer emphasizes my waist in a very flattering way. If I button it, it pulls a bit around my middle, primarily because my bust is large. I tried it in a larger size. It buttons smoothly, but looks too large everywhere else. I kept the smaller size and simply never button it. Besides, buttoning the blazer would eliminate the points at the side slimming my middle. I am really glad that I purchased the blazer. I like it so much that I purchased it in 2 more colors! I think we need to be open to styles we have not tried before. You never know, you might find a flattering gem if you are willing to try something new.
I have a question you may be able to help with. I am plus size and do not have a large bust! I have problems when trying to find a dress that makes me look balanced, or even shirts at times, help…
Thanks so much for this post, Alison. I’ve got all kinds of ideas using what I already have in my closet. Unfortunately, I think I gave most, if not all, of my oversized tunic blouses away when I moved a couple of years ago because I hadn’t worn them in awhile. I’m sure I’ll find something, however. I’m excited to wear a shirt dress I have over leggings. I haven’t known what to do with it; it’ll be fun and comfortable.
This is such a great post. I like the wide-legged styles, but I want to keep my leggings, too! This gives me lots of ideas on how to do that.
Would love to hear you talk about this double breasted blazer situation for hourglass figures. I keep trying them on and they just look huge on me if unbuttoned and frumpy if buttoned
I say if it feels that way, let it go. It’s not the only style of blazer on trend, and no trend is stylish if it makes you feel uncomfortable. <3
Belted, maybe? Otherwise I’ve been wearing longer blazers that are single breasted instead (sometimes with the sleeves scrunched) but I still feel chic in them!
Same here- try one a size smaller and wear it open. Seems to do the trick for me
I can’t get around the nipple buttons on double-breasted blazers. Depending on placement, the top set of buttons looks like nipples. Esp from afar. I hate it. And once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
And just like that, Bette put the final nail in the double breasted jacket’s coffin for me. LOL – nipple buttons! I also gave up on that style blazer, I end up looking like a linebacker because of the shoulder width and how the double fabric hides my waist.
I’m swimming in them, too. Talbots has a style right now that evokes a double-breasted blazer but doesn’t button and hangs well on me (14P, hourglass to apple). I’d swap out the buttons personally but otherwise a good basic-I tried on the magenta.
Alison, you are so responsive and helpful! Thanks so much for listening to us and providing these great tips.